With a small number of plates stacking up I figured it was time to get some varnish work done. I am always a little hesitant, as I run the risk of fouling up a nice image by doing a lousy varnish pour. Practice makes perfect though, and I need the practice.
The big challenge for me is finding a relatively dust free environment. All looks clear, and clean until a warm, and very sticky film of varnish has been applied, then dust seems to come from everywhere.
Gum Sandrac, a tree resin, is the most common varnish used for this process. The resin is dissolved in everclear, and a little lavender oil is added. The oil acts as a plastisizer to keep the varnish flexible, and eliminate cracking.
The plate is first heated. An alcohol burner, or a hairdryer works well, the varnish is also warmed up to allow for a more even flow. It is very sticky, but also smells marvelous, a combination of frankincense, and lavender.
The plate then gets drained of excess varnish before being heated again to aid in drying. What little water that is in the everclear must be evaporated, or one risks the surface drying dull.
Into a w rack to dry, and cure. Drying time is not long, but it takes a few days for the varnish to fully cure.
Now time to wash my hands.
Webster’s Wet Plate 
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